Zamfara State government has described as unfounded, allegations that the Bello Matawalle led administration’s Peace Process has neglected the Hausas in favour of the Fulani Reformed Bandits.
The Governor in a press statement by his Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment, Media, and Communications, Zailani Bappa, said it is not true.
The statement said that dialogue is the best approach to solving the lingering security problems in the state and indeed, the entire North-West zone, which is being bedevilled by years of banditry attacks.
It said the position of the Matawalle administration is very clear on the carrot and stick approach to the dialogue and peace process.
The statement further hinted that those who refuse to accept the peace process as well as those who renege on it, are squarely being faced with the wrath of the state’s Special Security Operation, Hadarin Daji.
The statement noted that Zamfara people must not quickly forget the successes of the operation in the last few months.
They include the rescue of 12 abducted persons, including the District Head of Wuya, the killing of nine bandits and arrest of 12 others, as well as the recovery of 67 rustled cattle in separate operations, held in Gidan Usman, Gidan Baba Goji, Gadauna, Gidan Janari amongst others in Bungudu Local Government Area of the state.
Similarly, the operation, with the support of the State Government, succeeded in intercepting nine bandits who rustled 600 heads of cattle and 300 heads of goats in Gusau Local Government Area.
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Moreover, a large number of bandits were killed in an air raid along Tungar Duba, where six kidnapped persons were rescued.
The statement added that Governor Matawalle will never abandon the people he has pledged to protect with all the might he has.
Editor: Ifeanyi Mark